Container closure

ABSTRACT

A closure ( 1 ) comprises an attachment member ( 10 ) for releasably attaching the closure to a container ( 2 ), a cover member ( 20 ) for extending over an open top of the container, and a handle member ( 30 ). The open top of the container terminates at a peripheral lip ( 3 ). The attachment member ( 10 ) also comprises a closed loop ( 22, 25 ) having a flexible loop portion ( 22 ) which, in use, is contractible to secure the loop to the lip and to thereby attach the closure to the container. The cover member has a first edge portion which is attached to the attachment member, and a second edge portion which is opposite the first edge portion and is attached to the handle member. The cover member also comprises an elastic portion ( 21 ) which is contractible to draw the opposite edge portions of the cover member toward one another. The handle member has a hand grip portion ( 31 ) for manipulating the cover member. The handle member has an elongate rigid portion ( 32 ) which is adapted for engaging with a portion of the lip to secure the cover member in a closed position over the open top of the container. One preferred embodiment of the closure is to secure recyclable materials in a container in readiness for roadside collection.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to closures for containers, andparticularly to reclosable closures suitable for retro-fitting toopen-topped bins provided by local territorial authorities to residentsfor curbside collection of recyclable materials.

BACKGROUND

As recycling of waste materials has become more commonplace, localterritorial authorities have provided residents with bins for periodiccurbside collection of recyclable materials. In many cases, the binsprovided are open-topped resulting in littering of urban environmentsthrough loss of bin contents, particularly in windy environments.

Various covers have been proposed for recycling bins. The retro-fittingof some of these covers to the bins has required skills and tools notreadily available in all households. Some covers have not been easy forusers to close over the bin. Some covers have been difficult to quicklyrelease and open the bins, for example when roadside collectors areemptying the bins into collection vehicles. Some covers have been easilylost through not being held captive with the bin after the cover hasbeen removed to empty the bin.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide aclosure for an open-topped container that mitigates, at least in part,one or more of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, or atleast to provide the public with a useful choice.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to providea closure that can be retro-fitted to an open-topped container withoutthe use of tools.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to providea closure that, after retro-fitting to an open-topped container, can beheld captive on the container even when not closed over the open top.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to providea container with a closure that can be retro-fitted to an open-toppedcontainer, the closure being releasably closable over the open top.

The invention may be broadly said to be a closure for a container havingan open top which terminates at a peripheral lip, the closure comprisingan attachment member for releasably attaching the closure to thecontainer, a cover member for extending over the open top of thecontainer, and a handle member; the attachment member comprising aclosed loop having a flexible loop portion which in use is contractibleto secure the loop to the lip and to thereby attach the closure to thecontainer, the cover member having first and second opposite edgeportions, the first edge portion being attached to the attachment memberand the second edge portion being attached to the handle member, thecover member comprising an elastic portion which is contractible to drawthe opposite edge portions of the cover member toward one another, thehandle member having a hand grip portion for manipulating the covermember, the handle member having an elongate rigid portion adapted forengaging with a portion of the lip and thereby securing the cover memberin a closed position over the open top of the container in use.

Preferably, the flexible loop portion is elastic and is contractible tosecure the loop to the lip and to thereby attach the closure to thecontainer. Alternatively, the flexible loop portion is inelastic andcomprises a fastening means by which the inelastic loop portion can becontracted in length and maintained in a contracted state to secure theloop to the lip and to thereby attach the closure to the container.

Preferably the elongate rigid portion of the handle member is U-shaped,comprising a middle portion and two end portions which extendtransversely in a common direction from opposite ends of the middleportion.

In a first preferred embodiment the lip is an outwardly open channel andin use the loop is locatable in the channel and the flexible loopportion is contractible to secure the loop in the channel and therebyattach the closure to the container, and the rigid portion of the handlemember is releasably locatable in the channel at said portion of the lipto thereby secure the cover member in the closed position over the opentop of the container.

In one option of the first preferred embodiment, the loop comprises anelongate rigid loop portion the ends of which are respectively connectedto opposite ends of the flexible loop portion. The rigid loop portionmay be U-shaped, comprising a middle portion and two end portions whichextend transversely in a common direction from opposite ends of themiddle portion of the rigid loop portion. Preferably, the first edgeportion of the cover member is attached along the rigid loop portion andthe second edge portion of the cover member is attached along the rigidportion of the handle member. The cover member may comprise two elasticside lines which respectively connect the ends of the rigid loop portionto the ends of the rigid portion of the handle member. Preferably, thecover member comprises a net, and respective edge portions of the netextend along and are attached to the elongate rigid portion of thehandle member, the elongate rigid loop portion and the two elastic sidelines.

In another option of the first preferred embodiment, the loop comprisestwo elongate rigid loop portions, each rigid loop portion having firstand second opposite ends, the first ends being respectively connected toopposite ends of the flexible loop portion and the second ends beingrespectively connected to opposite ends of another portion of the loop.Preferably, the peripheral lip is quadrilateral and the rigid loopportions are L-shaped for fitting in the channel at respective cornersof the peripheral lip. Preferably, the first edge portion of the covermember is attached to the rigid loop portions and the second edgeportion of the cover member is attached along the rigid portion of thehandle member. The cover member may comprise two elastic side lineswhich respectively connect the first ends of the rigid loop portions tothe ends of the rigid portion of the handle member. Preferably, thecover member comprises a net, and respective edge portions of the netextend along and are attached to the elongate rigid portion of thehandle member, the elongate rigid loop portions and the two elastic sidelines.

In a second preferred embodiment, the lip is an outwardly projectingbead, the loop comprises first and second elongate rigid loop portionseach having a U-shaped transverse cross-section shaped for fitting overrespective portions of the bead, each rigid loop portion having firstand second opposite ends, the first ends being respectively connected toopposite ends of the flexible loop portion and the second ends beingrespectively connected to opposite ends of another portion of the loop,and in use the first and second rigid loop portions are engagable overthe respective portions of the bead, and the elastic loop portion iscontractible to secure the loop to the peripheral lip and thereby attachthe closure to the container.

In one option of the second preferred embodiment, at least one of therigid loop portions is U-shaped comprising an intermediate portion andtwo end portions which extend transversely in a common direction fromopposite ends of the intermediate portion. Preferably, the first edgeportion of the cover member is attached along a portion of the loopbetween the two rigid loop portions and the second edge portion of thecover member is attached along the rigid portion of the handle member.The rigid portion of the handle member may have a U-shaped cross-sectionshaped to fit over a portion of the bead. Preferably, the first edgeportion of the cover member is attached along the first rigid loopportion and the second edge portion of the cover member is attachedalong the rigid portion of the handle member. The rigid portion of thehandle member may have a U-shaped transverse cross-section shaped to fitover the second rigid loop portion. The cover member may comprise twoelastic side lines which respectively connect the ends of the firstrigid loop portion to the ends of the rigid portion of the handlemember. Preferably the cover member comprises a net, and respective edgeportions of the net extend along and are attached to the rigid portionof the handle member, the first rigid loop portion and the two elasticside lines.

In another option of the second preferred embodiment, the peripheral lipis quadrilateral and the rigid loop portions are L-shaped for fitting inthe channel at respective corners of the peripheral lip. Preferably, thefirst edge portion of the cover member is attached to the two rigid loopportions and the second edge portion of the cover member is attachedalong the rigid portion of the handle member. The rigid portion of thehandle member may have a U-shaped transverse cross-section shaped to fitover a portion of the bead. The cover member may comprise two elasticside lines which respectively connect the first ends of the rigid loopportions to the ends of the rigid portion of the handle member.Preferably, the cover member comprises a net, and respective edgeportions of the net extend along and are attached to the rigid portionof the handle member, the rigid loop portions and the two elastic sidelines.

The invention may further be said to consist in any alternativecombination of parts or features mentioned herein or shown in theaccompanying drawings. Known equivalents of these parts or featureswhich are not expressly set out are nevertheless deemed to be included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments and methods of utilising the invention will befurther described, with reference to the accompanying figures, by way ofexample only and without intending to be limiting, wherein;

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred closure and a firstcontainer;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second preferred closure and asecond container;

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of thecontainer shown in FIG. 1 fitted with the closure shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of thecontainer shown in FIG. 2 fitted with the closure shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention may be implemented in various forms and modes. Thefollowing description of preferred embodiments of the invention is givenby way of example only.

A first preferred closure 1 and a first container 2 are shown in aperspective view in FIG. 1 and in a partial cross-sectional side view inFIG. 3.

The container 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is representative of one type ofopen-topped bin, typically moulded from a plastics material, andprovided by local territorial authorities to residents for curbsidecollection of recyclable materials. The open top of the bin terminatesat a generally quadrilateral peripheral lip 3 that is formed as anoutwardly-open channel 4. The channel extends continuously around thecomplete periphery of the open bin top. The channel has a substantiallyU-shaped cross-section with substantially horizontal top and bottomwalls 5, 6 joined by a vertically extending inner wall.

The closure comprises an attachment loop 10 by which the closure can bereleasably retro-fitted to the bin, a cover 20 comprising a net 21 forclosing over the open top of the bin, and a handle 30 with a hand grip31 for manipulating the cover when closing and opening the net over theopen top of the bin.

The attachment loop 10 comprises a flexible elastic cord 22 the ends ofwhich are joined to the tips of two ends 23, 24 of an elongate rigidportion 25 to form a closed loop. The rigid loop portion 25 is U-shaped,having a generally straight elongate middle portion 26 and the two ends23, 24 which extend transversely in a common direction from the oppositeends of the middle portion. The distance between the transverse ends 23,24 of the U-shape is pre-determined so that the ends can besimultaneously slid into the channel 4 at two opposite sides of the openbin top.

When the closure 1 is fitted to the bin 2, the rigid loop portion 25 islocated in the channel 4. The middle portion 26 of the U-shaped rigidloop portion is located in the channel along a first side of the binwith the two transverse ends 23, 24 respectively extending part wayalong the channel at the two sides of the bin adjacent the first side.The elastic cord 22 is stretched around the remainder of the peripherallip and located in the channel 4 along the remainder of the two adjacentsides and along the fourth side. The elastic cord 22 contracts to securethe loop 10 (that is, the elastic cord 22 and the rigid loop portion 25)in the channel 4 and thereby attaches the closure 1 to the bin 2. Aswill be appreciated, no tools or special skills are needed to achievethis retro-fitting of the closure to the bin.

The length and elasticity of the elastic cord is selected to securely,but releasably, attach the closure to the bin and hold the closurecaptive with the bin, even if the closure is not closed over the bintop.

The handle 30 has a hand grip 31 and a rigid elongate portion 32. Therigid elongate handle portion is U-shaped, having an elongate, generallystraight, middle portion 33 and two ends 34, 35 which extendtransversely in a common direction from the opposite ends of the middleportion.

The cover is a net 21 comprising a network of elastic cords. Oppositeend edges of the net are attached to the rigid loop portion 25 and tothe rigid elongate handle portion 32. The net includes two elastic sidelines 27 which extend along the opposite side edges of the net. The sidelines 27 connect respective ends of the rigid loop portion 25 to theends of the rigid handle portion 32.

The side lines are attached to the respective distal tips of thetransverse ends 23, 24, 34, 35 of the rigid portions of the loop andhandle.

When the closure cover 20 is to be closed over the open top of the bin2, the elastic net 21 and side lines 27 are stretched over the binopening, by pulling on the hand grip 31, and the rigid handle portion 32is located in the channel 4. The generally straight middle portion 33 ofthe rigid handle portion 32 is located in the channel at the side of thebin opposite the side in which the middle portion 26 of the rigid loopportion 25 is located. The elastic net 21 and the two side lines 27contract to draw the elongate handle portion toward the rigid loopportion, pulling the handle portion into the channel and therebysecuring the net closed over the top of the bin. The transverse ends 23,24, 34, 35 of the rigid portions of the loop and handle extend part wayalong the channel 4 at opposite sides of the quadrilateral lip to resistinadvertent removal of the rigid portions from the channel.

The net can extend flatly across the bin opening or, if the bin isloaded with contents extending above the peripheral lip of the binopening, the net can be stretched and pushed upward (e.g. to the raisedposition as indicated in FIG. 3) to accommodate the bin contents. Ineither case, the bin cover retains recyclable materials left in the binat a curbside until collection.

The cover 20 can be readily opened by pulling outwardly and thenupwardly on the hand grip 31 to pull the transverse ends of the elongaterigid handle portion 32 out of the channel 4. The handle 30 and cover 20can then be released, under the elasticity of the net 21 and side lines27, toward the opposite end of the bin from where the handle and net canhang loosely from the rigid loop portion 25 that remains retained in thechannel 4 at that end of the bin.

A second preferred closure 101 and a second container 102 are shown in aperspective view in FIG. 2 and in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4.

The container shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is a bin with an open top thatterminates at a generally quadrilateral peripheral lip 103 that isformed as an outwardly-projecting bead 104. The bead extendscontinuously around the complete periphery of the open bin top.

The second preferred closure, like the first, comprises an attachmentloop 110 by which the closure can be releasably retro-fitted to the bin,a cover 120 comprising a net 121 for closing over the open top of thebin, and a handle 130 with a hand grip 131 for manipulating the coverwhen closing and opening the net over the open top of the bin.

The attachment loop 110 comprises two flexible elastic cords 122, 123;one of which is longer than the other. The longer cord 122 joinsrespective ends of two elongate rigid portions 125, 126 together, andthe shorter cord 123 joins the other ends of the two rigid portions 125,126 together, to form a closed loop.

The rigid loop portions 125, 126 have a U-shaped transversecross-section that is shaped to fit over and engage the bead 104 at theperipheral lip of the bin. The two rigid loop portions are L-shaped toengage the bead at respective corners of the peripheral lip of the bin.The L-shaped loop portions are preferably curved to match any curvatureof the bead around the corners of the peripheral lip of the bin.

When the closure 101 is fitted to the bin 102, the two rigid L-shapedportions 125, 126 are engaged over the bead at two adjacent corners ofthe peripheral lip of the bin. The two elastic cords 122, 123 arestretched around the remainder of the peripheral lip, with at least thelonger elastic cord 122 being located below the bead to extend aroundthe two other corners and along three sides of the peripheral lip. Theshorter elastic cord 123 extends between the two rigid L-shaped loopportions, along the fourth side of the peripheral lip.

The elastic cords 122, 123 contract to retain the rigid L-shaped loopportions on the bead corners and thereby attach the closure to the bin.

As will be appreciated, no tools or special skills are needed to achievethis retro-fitting of the closure to the bin.

The length and elasticity of the loop cords are selected to securely,but releasably, attach the closure to the bin. The use of two rigidL-shaped loop portions allows one closure to fit a range of bin sizes,with the two elastic cords allowing the loop to adapt to the length ofthe peripheral lip while the two rigid L-shaped portions fit closely tothe bead at respective corners of the lip.

In the closure shown in FIG. 2, the handle 130 has a hand grip 131 and arigid elongate portion 132. The rigid elongate handle portion has aU-shaped transverse cross-section that is shaped to fit over the bead atthe peripheral lip of the bin. The rigid elongate handle portion 132 isgenerally straight (i.e. it is without any transverse ends) so that itcan be fitted to a range of bin sizes. As best seen in the partialcross-sectional side view of FIG. 4, the upper flange of the U-shapedcross-section of the rigid handle portion 132 may extend beyond thelower flange to improve the security of the engagement of the handleportion on the bead.

In the closure shown in FIG. 2, the cover is a net 121 comprising anetwork of elastic cords. One end edge of the net is attached to each ofthe rigid L-shaped loop portions 125, 126 and optionally (but not shownin FIG. 2) to the shorter elastic, loop portion 123. The other end edgeof the net 121 is attached to the rigid elongate handle portion 132. Thenet includes two elastic side lines 127 which extend along the oppositeside edges of the net. The side lines 127 respectively connect theL-shaped rigid loop portions 125, 126 to the ends of the rigid elongatehandle portion 132. Each side line is attached to a distal tip of oneleg of the respective L-shaped rigid loop portion.

When the closure cover 120 is to be closed over the open top of the bin102, the elastic net 121 is stretched over the bin opening, by pullingon the hand grip 131, and the rigid elongate handle portion 132 isengaged over the bead 104 at the side of the peripheral lip opposite theside between the two L-shaped rigid loop portions 125, 126. The elasticnet 121 and the two side lines 127 contract to draw the elongate handleportion toward the rigid loop portions, pilling the handle portion ontothe bead and thereby securing the net closed over the top of the bin.

The net can extend flatly across the bin opening or, if the bin isloaded with contents extending above the peripheral lip of the binopening, the net can be stretched and pushed upward (e.g. to the raisedposition as indicated in FIG. 4) to accommodate the bin contents. Ineither case, the bin cover retains recyclable materials left in the binat a curbside until collection.

The cover 120 can be readily opened by pulling outwardly and thenupwardly on the hand grip 131 to pull the elongate rigid handle portion132 off the bead 104. The handle 130 and cover 120 can then be released,under the elasticity of the net 121 and side lines 127, toward theopposite end of the bin. The handle and net can then hang loosely fromthe two rigid loop portions 125, 126 that remain retained on the bead104 at that end of the bin.

The foregoing describes the invention with reference to a preferredembodiment. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope ofthe invention as defined in the accompanying claims. The invention mayalso consist in any alternative combination of any of the parts orfeatures mentioned herein or shown in the accompanying drawings.

For example, although the preferred embodiment described above is aclosure for a recycling bin, the closure is similarly applicable toother open-topped containers having a peripheral lip formed as a bead orchannel.

In one exemplary variation the flexible loop portion is inelastic, forexample a cord, band, belt or strap. The inelastic loop portion includesa fastening means, for example a buckle or a pair of hook and loopfastening elements. The loop is fitted around the lip and the inelasticportion contracted in length and maintained in the contracted state bythe buckle, or other fastener, to secure the loop to the lip and tothereby attach the closure to the container. This provides a secureattachment of closure to container, reducing the likelihood ofinadvertent detachment.

In another exemplary variation not shown in the figures, the U-shapedrigid loop portion 25 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, may bereplaced with two rigid L-shaped loop portions connected together by apair of elastic cords to form the closed loop so that the closure can befitted to bins from a range of differently-sized bins.

In another exemplary variation not shown in the figures, the loop has norigid portions. In this case, the loop is an endless cord that islocated in a peripheral channel such as that seen on the bin shown inFIG. 1. A first end of the cover net is fixed along part of the loopcord and the second end of the cover net is fixed along part of therigid handle portion. The complete cord may be elastic or the cord couldbe a length of relatively elastic cord joined to a length of relativelyinelastic cord. In this latter case, the first end of the cover netcould be fixed along the relatively inelastic cord.

In another exemplary option not shown in the figures, the L-shaped rigidloop portions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 may be substituted by rigid loopportions that are substantially straight or U-shaped. In either case, afirst end of the cover net could be fixed along the loop cord connectingbetween the two rigid loop portions and the second end of the cover netwould be fixed along part of the rigid handle portion. Alternatively, afirst end of the cover net could be fixed along a first of the two rigidloop portions and the second end of the cover net would be fixed alongpart of the rigid handle portion. In this latter alternative, the rigidhandle portion would preferably have a U-shaped transverse cross-sectionshaped to fit over the second rigid loop portion.

The two L-shaped rigid loop portions described above with reference toFIGS. 2 and 4 as engaged over two adjacent corners of the quadrilaterallip, may instead be engaged over two opposite corners of the lip. Ineither case, the two elastic cords are preferably located below thebead, each cord extending around a respective one of the other twocorners of the lip.

In another embodiment not shown in the figures, the loop comprises onlyone rigid L-shaped loop portion and only one elastic loop portion whichis located below the bead to extend around three corners and along allfour sides of the quadrilateral lip. In this case the single elasticcord contracts to retain the rigid L-shaped loop portion on the beadcorner and thereby attach the closure to the bin.

In another embodiment, the handle 130 of the closure shown in FIGS. 2and 4 is substituted by a handle having an elongate rigid portion withan overall U-shape, having an elongate middle portion and two ends whichextend transversely in a common direction from the opposite ends of themiddle portion to engage the bead at two opposite sides of thequadrilateral loop.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting atleast in part of”. When interpreting each statement in thisspecification that includes the term “comprising”, features other thanthat or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related termssuch as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the samemanner.

1. A closure for a container having an open top which terminates at aperipheral lip, the closure comprising an attachment member forreleasably attaching the closure to the container, a cover member forextending over the open top of the container, and a handle member; theattachment member comprising a closed loop having a flexible loopportion which in use is contractible to secure the loop to the lip andto thereby attach the closure to the container, the cover member havingfirst and second opposite edge portions, the first edge portion beingattached to the attachment member and the second edge portion beingattached to the handle member, the cover member comprising an elasticportion which is contractible to draw the opposite edge portions of thecover member toward one another, the handle member having a hand gripportion for manipulating the cover member, the handle member having anelongate rigid portion adapted for engaging with a portion of the lipand thereby securing the cover member in a closed position over the opentop of the container in use.
 2. A closure as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe flexible loop portion is elastic and is contractible to secure theloop to the lip and to thereby attach the closure to the container.
 3. Aclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible loop portion isinelastic and comprises a fastening means by which the inelastic loopportion can be contracted in length and maintained in a contracted stateto secure the loop to the lip and to thereby attach the closure to thecontainer.
 4. A closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate rigidportion of the handle member is U-shaped, comprising a middle portionand two end portions which extend transversely in a common directionfrom opposite ends of the middle portion.
 5. A closure as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the lip is an outwardly open channel and in use the loopis locatable in the channel and the flexible loop portion iscontractible to secure the loop in the channel and thereby attach theclosure to the container, and the rigid portion of the handle member isreleasably locatable in the channel at said portion of the lip tothereby secure the cover member in the closed position over the open topof the container.
 6. A closure as claimed in claim 5 wherein the loopcomprises an elongate rigid loop portion the ends of which arerespectively connected to opposite ends of the flexible loop portion. 7.A closure as claimed in claim 6 wherein the rigid loop portion isU-shaped, comprising a middle portion and two end portions which extendtransversely in a common direction from opposite ends of the middleportion of the rigid loop portion.
 8. A closure as claimed in claim 6wherein the first edge portion of the cover member is attached along therigid loop portion and the second edge portion of the cover member isattached along the rigid portion of the handle member.
 9. A closure asclaimed in claim 6 wherein the cover member comprises two elastic sidelines which respectively connect the ends of the rigid loop portion tothe ends of the rigid portion of the handle member.
 10. A closure asclaimed in claim 9 wherein the cover member comprises a net, andrespective edge portions of the net extend along and are attached to theelongate rigid portion of the handle member, the elongate rigid loopportion and the two elastic side lines.
 11. A closure as claimed inclaim 5 wherein the loop comprises two elongate rigid loop portions,each rigid loop portion having first and second opposite ends, the firstends being respectively connected to opposite ends of the flexible loopportion and the second ends being respectively connected to oppositeends of another portion of the loop.
 12. A closure as claimed in claim11 wherein the peripheral lip is quadrilateral and the rigid loopportions are L-shaped for fitting in the channel at respective cornersof the peripheral lip.
 13. A closure as claimed in claim 11 wherein thefirst edge portion of the cover member is attached to the rigid loopportions and the second edge portion of the cover member is attachedalong the rigid portion of the handle member.
 14. A closure as claimedin claim 11 wherein the cover member comprises two elastic side lineswhich respectively connect the first ends of the rigid loop portions tothe ends of the rigid portion of the handle member.
 15. A closure asclaimed in claim 14 wherein the cover member comprises a net, andrespective edge portions of the net extend along and are attached to theelongate rigid portion of the handle member, the elongate rigid loopportions and the two elastic side lines.
 16. A closure as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the lip is an outwardly projecting bead, the loopcomprises first and second elongate rigid loop portions each having aU-shaped transverse cross-section shaped for fitting over respectiveportions of the bead, each rigid loop portion having first and secondopposite ends, the first ends being respectively connected to oppositeends of the flexible loop portion and the second ends being respectivelyconnected to opposite ends of another portion of the loop, and in usethe first and second rigid loop portions are engagable over therespective portions of the bead, and the elastic loop portion iscontractible to secure the loop to the peripheral lip and thereby attachthe closure to the container.
 17. A closure as claimed in claim 16wherein at least one of the rigid loop portions is U-shaped comprisingan intermediate portion and two end portions which extend transverselyin a common direction from opposite ends of the intermediate portion.18. A closure as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first edge portion ofthe cover member is attached along a portion of the loop between the tworigid loop portions and the second edge portion of the cover member isattached along the rigid portion of the handle member.
 19. A closure asclaimed in claim 18 wherein the rigid portion of the handle member has aU-shaped cross-section shaped to fit over a portion of the bead.
 20. Aclosure as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first edge portion of thecover member is attached along the first rigid loop portion and thesecond edge portion of the cover member is attached along the rigidportion of the handle member.
 21. A closure as claimed in claim 20wherein the rigid portion of the handle member has a U-shaped transversecross-section shaped to fit over the second rigid loop portion.
 22. Aclosure as claimed in claim 20 wherein the cover member comprises twoelastic side lines which respectively connect the ends of the firstrigid loop portion to the ends of the rigid portion of the handlemember.
 23. A closure as claimed in claim 22 wherein the cover membercomprises a net, and respective edge portions of the net extend alongand are attached to the rigid portion of the handle member, the firstrigid loop portion and the two elastic side lines.
 24. A closure asclaimed in claim 16 wherein the peripheral lip is quadrilateral and therigid loop portions are L-shaped for fitting in the channel atrespective corners of the peripheral lip.
 25. A closure as claimed inclaim 24 wherein the first edge portion of the cover member is attachedto the two rigid loop portions and the second edge portion of the covermember is attached along the rigid portion of the handle member.
 26. Aclosure as claimed in claim 24 wherein the rigid portion of the handlemember has a U-shaped transverse cross-section shaped to fit over aportion of the bead.
 27. A closure as claimed in claim 24 wherein thecover member comprises two elastic side lines which respectively connectthe first ends of the rigid loop portions to the ends of the rigidportion of the handle member.
 28. A closure as claimed in claim 27wherein the cover member comprises a net, and respective edge portionsof the net extend along and are attached to the rigid portion of thehandle member, the rigid loop portions and the two elastic side lines.